Kalyani: Soccer giants Mohun Bagan continued their surge towards the 13th I-League title with a 1-0 win over second-placed Punjab FC at the Kalyani Municipality Stadium here on Sunday.
Papa Babacar Diawara scored what turned out to be the match-winner in the 42nd minute. The league leaders pressed hard from the get-go, not allowing Punjab a moment's respite.
The match boiled over at few points, with referee Santhosh Kumar brandishing seven yellow cards - four for Mohun Bagan and three for Punjab. The visitors enjoyed 55 percent possession but had only three shots on goal, while Mohun Bagan had 21, with twelve being on target.
The Mariners held on for their third straight win and now have a nine-point lead at the top of the Hero I-League standings. Punjab FC remains on second but will drop places if Real Kashmir and Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) win their subsequent fixtures, with the Srinagar outfit traveling to Ludhiana next on February 16. IANS